Champagne Room can show development in Bayakoa

CYPRESS, Calif. – After winning the Eclipse Award as the nation’s outstanding 2-year-old filly of 2016, Champagne Room has had a limited campaign this year.

An ankle injury put her out of training in late winter. She won the Remington Park Oaks in September in her comeback and was sixth in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Del Mar on Nov. 3.

There are ample goals for Champagne Room in 2018, but time for one more start this year in Sunday’s Grade 2 Bayakoa Handicap for fillies and mares at Los Alamitos. The $200,000 Bayakoa will be the second time Champagne Room has raced outside of her age group, and an opportunity to show she has developed since her championship season.

“We have a lot of things we want to try to do with her,” trainer Peter Eurton said. “We want her to mature a little more.”

The Bayakoa is run at 1 1/16 miles and drew six stakes winners – Champagne Room, Constellation, Madame Stripes, Majestic Heat, Shenandoah Queen and Street Surrender – and two stakes-placed runners – Bernina Star and Pacific Wind.

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KEY CONTENDERS

Champagne Room, by Broken Vow
Last 3 Beyers: 88-92-82

◗ Champagne Room was beaten 7 3/4 lengths by winner Forever Unbridled in the BC Distaff, setting the pace to the top of the stretch before fading from contention. Owned by a partnership that includes Sharon Alesia, Joe Ciaglia and Gulliver Racing, Champagne Room has frequently raced near the front.

◗ In the 2016 BC Juvenile Fillies at Santa Anita, Champagne Room was second for the first six furlongs before winning narrowly in a 33-1 upset.

“Hopefully, this Sunday she shows a little more maturity and can pace herself,” Eurton said.

◗ Champagne Room will start from post 2 under jockey Mario Gutierrez, a concern for Eurton who fears a speed duel could develop.

“From the two-hole, with anyone coming up to her, she’ll want to work with them,” he said.

◗ Champagne Room is likely to face pressure from Constellation, the winner of the Grade 1 La Brea Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at seven furlongs at Santa Anita last December. Constellation was last of 14 in the BC Filly and Mare Sprint at seven furlongs on Nov. 4, and has since worked quickly at Santa Anita.

Shenandoah Queen, by Henny Hughes
Last 3 Beyers: 78-93-82

◗ Shenandoah Queen won the restricted Tranquility Lake Stakes at a mile at Del Mar on Aug. 25, and was sixth in the Grade 2 Chilukki Stakes at Churchill Downs on Nov. 4. Shenandoah Queen had a poor start and was beaten 4 1/4 lengths by Farrell.

“With a better start, she’s in the top three,” trainer John Sadler said.

◗ In the Bayakoa, Shenandoah Queen could benefit if a quick pace develops.

“I want to see her laying second or third,” Sadler said.

Majestic Heat, by Unusual Heat
Last 3 Beyers: 91-89-91

◗ Majestic Heat won the Betty Grable Stakes for California-bred fillies and mares at seven furlongs at Del Mar on Nov. 12 in her first start on dirt. Majestic Heat has won three stakes for statebreds in the last 16 months, but has yet to win a graded stakes in six attempts.

“We’re just testing the water to see how she does,” trainer Richard Mandella said.

Pacific Wind, by Curlin
Last 3 Beyers: 93-83-84

◗ Trained by Eurton, Pacific Wind closed from fifth to win her main-track debut in an optional claimer at 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita on Oct. 21. Earlier this year, Pacific Wind was third in two graded stakes for 3-year-old fillies on turf at Santa Anita.

“Pacific Wind loves the dirt,” Eurton said. “I think she’s an improving filly.”